The Presidency has refuted the reports circulating on social media suggesting that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has been removed from office
O’tega Ogra, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Digital Media, clarified on Monday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), urging the public to ignore the claims
“The Nigerian public should disregard any fake news making the rounds about the replacement of the INEC Chairman. Any such announcement will come from the SGF’s office or any other appropriate official source,” Ogra wrote.
Mahmood was appointed to office by President Muhammadu Buhari on 21 October 2015, succeeding Amina Zakari, who served as acting chairman. He was reappointed in 2020.
The university professor supervised the conduct of the 2019 and controversial 2023 general elections in Nigeria.
Critics of the electoral process have often called for his resignation or removal, citing alleged irregularities and performance issues witnessed at the last poll in 2023
Ogra’s statement aligns with the government’s protocol on the dissemination of official decisions, which typically come through formal channels such as the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) or presidential spokespersons.
As of the time of this report, there has been no official announcement or communication from any relevant government office regarding a change in the leadership of INEC.
Nairaconomy gathered that Professor Mahmood Yakubu is serving his second five-year term as INEC Chairman.
Any removal or replacement of the INEC Chairman must follow due constitutional and legal processes.
The INEC Chairman can only be removed by the President acting on an address supported by a two-thirds majority of the Senate.
